BOSTON, MA – From sports matchups to the country’s top burger joints, East vs. West is a classic rivalry, and Samuel Adams is throwing it to the American homebrewing community to let them settle the score. The brewers at Samuel Adams today announce a call for entries for the 2015 LongShot American Homebrew Contest, which for the first time ever will feature a new battle of “East vs. West”, with one creative homebrew chosen from each side of theMississippi. Winners will be announced at the 2015 Great American Beer Festival inDenver, with the entries from two winning homebrewers, as well as one Samuel Adams employee winner, available in the Samuel Adams LongShot variety six-pack in 2016. Those interested in entering can visitwww.samueladams.com/longshot for contest rules, regulations and information on purchasing a homebrewing kit. The homebrew submission window isMay 1- 16, 2015.

Jim Koch founder and brewer of Samuel Adams, has hosted the annual LongShot homebrew contest for nearly 20 years to celebrate American homebrewers who continue to create innovative, full-flavored brews and challenge the notion of what beer can be, just as Jim did in his kitchen over 30 years ago when he brewed the first batch ofSamuel Adams Boston Lager. Since that time, American craft beer has undergone a revolution, with more than 3,000 brewers currently operating, compared to about 50 in 1984. The steady growth of America’s craft brewing community is thanks in large part to homebrewers and craft brewers like Jim Koch, who are resilient, unafraid to challenge the status quo, and passionate about pushing the limits of craft beer. Past LongShot American Homebrew Contest winners have gone on to become professional brewers, turning their homebrewing hobby into a full-time career. The most recent example isCesar Marron, winner of the 2013 LongShot American Homebrew Contest, who opened Sketchbook Brewing Company inEvanston, ILfollowing his win.

“There are more breweries currently operating in the U.S. than at almost any time in our country’s history, and the Samuel Adams LongShot contest aims to recognize American homebrewers as the true driving force behind this growth,” saidJim Koch. “Without the unrelenting innovation and creativity of homebrewers, our craft beer culture wouldn’t be nearly as vibrant and exciting as it is today.”

While Samuel Adams is accepting entries for the 2015 contest, the Samuel Adams LongShot American Homebrew Contest variety six-pack with winning brews from the 2014 winners will be available nationwide in select retail stores this spring. This year’s winners includeForestville, CaliforniaresidentGreg Rasmussen,Smithtown, New YorkresidentMatthew KnottandBrooklyn, NYresident and Samuel Adams employeeJohn Marra. The variety pack will include two bottles each ofGreg’s “Raspy’s Robust Porter,”Matthew’s “Smokehouse Rauchbier”andJohn’s “Dark Night in Brooklyn” Dunkelweiss.